"I know you don't have firsthand knowledge (i.e before anybody else does, including elected officials) of everything going on now that Liz is gone. Deal with it. In the mean time you keep waking up every morning and thinking of me Charles. It's an honor to wear the badge as most wanted by Dr. Odell, it means I am doing some good for this community. "
Will Conley in e-mail response to O'Dell
Note: Let's face it, communication never has been Commissioner Will Conley's strong suit during his seven years of public "service," as he calls it, leastwise when it comes to providing information the taxpaying public is entitled to know and which might cause him some embarrassment. Public service should not be confused with playing politics. Hiding important facts and information from the public simply is not the mark of a good public servant. Conley owes the taxpayers a detailed report and explanation of his trip to Washington, period. There should be no need to dance around that fact.
Send your comments and questions to roundup.editor@gmail.com, to Mr. O'Dell at codell@austin.rr.com, to Commissioner Conley at will.conley@co.hays.tx.us or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the story
By Charles O'Dell, Ph.D.
Contributing Editor
Hays County Commissioner Will Conley believes and acts as though he were above the law. Conley avoids transparency in his official actions, works hard on behalf of special interests and thinks nothing of violating Open Records and Open Meetings laws when it suits him. There are many examples to cite and here are just a couple.Conley attended a meeting at the U.S. Department of Interior in Washington, D.C. on April 13, 2011 to represent Hays County. The meeting was, “…to discuss streamlining the permitting processes related to the Regional Habitat Conservation Plan (RHCP), Hays County road projects and other projects that require permitting by the federal government.”
In plain terms, road builders and developers want permission to proceed with their projects before Endangered Species Act studies are completed.
The Washington meeting was arranged by Austin attorney Alan Glenn, a Hays County RHCP consultant. Commissioner Conley spent $2,186.85 of taxpayer money on his overnight trip, and played hooky from the April 12, 2011 commissioners’ court meeting.
Conley left commissioners’ court meeting shortly after roll call and long before the court authorized Conley to represent Hays County and approved payment with public funds for his travel that Conley had already committed the week before.
Will Conley/RoundUp
We wondered why Conley abused his office, skipped almost all of commissioners’ court on Tuesday, April 12th to begin a trip at public expense before court authorization and approval; how he used our public funds; and what the results were from his Washington, D.C. meeting regarding official Hays County business.Lack of Accountability or Stewardship
Conley booked United flight 766 leaving Austin on April 12, 2011 at 11:58am, arriving Washington Dulles at 4:06pm. Roundtrip fare cost taxpayers over $1,600. Conley could have flown Southwest Airlines nonstop leaving from Austin at 3:50pm, arriving Baltimore (same distance from DC as Dulles) at 8:05pm. Roundtrip cost was less than $1,000, saving taxpayers over $600, and providing Conley four more hours in commissioners’ court.
Why did Conley leave commissioners’ court four hours early and spend $600 more to arrive early the day before his meeting?
Conley stayed one night at The Jefferson Hotel (5 star) costing taxpayers over $320. The Jefferson is located more than a mile from his meeting. For $149, Conley could have stayed at the State Plaza Hotel (4 star), located just two blocks from his meeting, saving taxpayers an additional $171 plus cab fare.
Why did Conley stay at one of the most expensive Washington hotels located over a mile from his meeting when he could have stayed within walking distance at less than half the cost to taxpayers?
Open Meeting Violation
“…the electors, have an inalienable right to watch as they, the elected, make our laws and spend our money. The doors to deliberations must remain open… The Texas Open Meetings Act at times can be burdensome for elected officials who'd like to discuss public matters or act on our behalf without our knowledge.” ~ Austin-American Statesman Editorial Board, Dec. 15, 2009Conley made his trip reservations eight days before, obtained a purchase order a week before, and left commissioners’ court long before agenda item 17 authorizing him to represent Hays County at the Washington meeting and approving $2,186.85 for travel was even voted on April 12, 2011. This was clearly another Conley open meetings violation.
Open Records Violation
Texas' Public Information Act (open records) is a tremendous resource with a noble goal essential to self-governance in a democracy ~ Forth Worth Star-Telegram Editorial, May. 22, 2011
"It is the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees," the law states. "The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created." ~ Texas Public Information Act
The law is supposed to be "liberally construed in favor of granting a request for information." ~ Texas Attorney GeneralMr. Conley wasn’t talking about the results of his official Washington trip so we made an open records request to find out why. We requested copies of the following items:
1. The airline ticket for Commissioner Will Conley regarding his recent trip to Washington, D.C. on official Hays County business.
2 Mr. Conley’s schedule of meetings, personnel and subject matter associated with his recent trip to Washington, D.C. on official Hays County business.
3. All other documents (email, correspondence, written phone notes, commissioners court minutes, etc.) used in preparation for Mr. Conley’s aforementioned trip to Washington, D.C. on official Hays County business.
We only received the following documents:
1. Mr. Conley's Agenda Item Request Form (available on the Internet)
2. Commissioners' court minutes related to authorizing $2,186.85 for travel (available on the Internet) and,
3. Conley’s Washington Expedia itinerary
We complained that documents responsive to our open records request had been withheld by Conley. We copied the Texas Attorney General Office with our complaint of Conley’s open records violation.
Hays County quickly followed up with additional documents that included the following:
1. Conley’s purchase order with flight and hotel accommodation information
2. An undated 33 page briefing book primarily relating to the Williamson County RHCP.
3. An undated one page Hays County RHCP timeline.
4. Conley’s purchase order for air fare, hotel and travel allowance.
5. An email from attorney Alan Glenn, Hays County RHCP consultant, to Michael Bean, Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, setting up the April 13, 2011 meeting and,
6. An invoice to HaysCAN for document copies.
To find out what taxpayers got for their money we emailed Conley the following request (which, despite Conley’s claim, constitutes an open records request if written documents exist):
I have ten questions regarding your April 12/13, 2011, trip to Washington, D.C., where you visited with Michael Bean, Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and with others. To make my questions easy to follow I have listed them below. Thank you for your response.
Questions:
Who scheduled the meeting with Mr. Bean?
What was the major purpose of the meeting?
What specific subjects were discussed at the meeting?
What was your role at the meeting?
How long was the meeting?
During the meeting did you express or agree that Hays County was considering walking away from the RHCP?
What was the major outcome of the meeting from your perspective?
Did you prepare a written report of the meeting for yourself, for commissioners’ court and/or for any other party?
Did Alan Glen provide a written report of any kind regarding the meeting results?
Could the meeting have been scheduled so that you wouldn’t miss commissioners’ court?
Here is Conley’s response to my inquiry received Monday:
“Charles,Clearly, Mr. Conley sees public interest as a game of keep-away to be played with citizens. Unfortunately, he has passed up yet another opportunity to be transparent in his official actions and to be accountable to the public. Instead, Mr. Conley is upset that someone would hold him accountable for his actions.
Since you have had questions for me every Monday morning for the past few weeks I think it is appropriate to ask you some questions.
1. Have you or anyone associated with you over the past years had any contact with the Service?
2. If so was that contact in regards to fm 1626 and what was the context of those conversations?
3. same for fm 110?
4. Have you contacted the Service about our HCP and if so what was the context of those discussions?
I don't care to play your little games. The time and money you have cost the tax payers of this county for your political agendas is astronomical.
You have filed everything you can possibly file on a person in my seven years of service, you have also brought my friends and FAMILY into your sick game at different times. You are the one who is not transparent or interested in the public good. Just your same old self interested agenda. Till you start answering some questions, I have nothing to say to you. If you want to file more open records request that is your legal right to do, and you can do so through our attorney office. Since this wasn't an open records request, and you asked for my opinion, I have the right to question you also. I know you don't have firsthand knowledge (i.e before anybody else does, including elected officials) of everything going on now that Liz is gone. Deal with it. In the mean time you keep waking up every morning and thinking of me Charles. It s an honor to wear the badge as most wanted by Dr. Odell, it means I am doing some good for this community.
W”
In the meantime, ‘A motion was made by Commissioner Whisenant, seconded by Commissioner Ingalsbe to authorize Commissioner Will Conley to represent Hays County in discussions with the officials from the Department of Interior and others in Washington D.C.; and to authorize payment of travel and accommodations out of countywide contingencies. All voting “Aye”. MOTION PASSED’
Mr. Conley was long gone by the time that vote was taken and none of the other commissioners court members seem disturbed about Conley acting without court authorization and approval. But citizens care about open meetings, open records, official transparency and accountability.
32 comments:
O'dell,
Great job, now go investigate David Baker and Jack Hollon. Where does Baker live? He and his wife voted in the last election but list their home as Austin on their Facebook accounts. Voter Fraud??
Why can't WVWA afford a computer? Where did all those millions go?
Also look at Ed Pope and his hotel with no HTGCD permit. These are important issues and are deserving of your attention.
BTW how goes the Gorman investigation?
"Voter Fraud??"
Our Hays County public officials aren't interested in voter fraud (with the exception of our county Elections Administrator).
For over four years HaysCAN dogged the ACC voter fraud case in San Marcos involving local developer Randall Morris and his son, Patrick Rose's campaign manager,Mark Littlefield, and other local politicos who have "juice" with the Texas Attorney General Office. It was the AG attorneys who played keep-away with us over those four years of their "investigation" before they had the criminal charges against Littlefield dismissed after telling me personally they weren't going to ask Hays County Judge Howard (deceased) to dismiss. Then to cover up their stinky deal they made the information off limit to our open records request. (We got lucky in the Tom Pope shooting case.)
Hays County DA, Sherri Tibbe, kept her distance while the AG Office did her dirty work for her. So don't expect us to waste our time on voter fraud in Hays County. Public officials here don't care about that.
As for Baker and Hollon---they aren't elected officials. Conley is. We are a government watchdog organization.
And if you suspect fraud at WVWA then file a complaint with Tibbe. That won't get you very far because Conley has worked hard silencing that group with county grant money and Tibbe won't interfere with Conley's political activities---even when they involve use of public resources.
As for permitting, you of all people should know how corrupt that process is in Hays County. Just look at Barton, Conley and now County Judge Bert Cobb. Read about it in the RoundUp.
The current HTGCD board majority isn't interested in Gorman or the other cases of groundwater violations. Again, you of all people know that.
Dr. O'Dell, thank you once again for your erudite reporting and for staying on top of these vital public matters.
It is painful to read of the juvenile dishonesty and arrogance being so openly displayed by some of our elected officials and, worse, the apparent disinterest of the tax payers and public.
Keep up the good work. Maybe one day enough people will wake up to the con artists who call themselves "public servants" and make things honest and whole again.
Btw, I think spoiler comments as the one from anonymous serve only to distract from the serious focus and implications of reporting such as yours.
Thanks again.
P.S. As a Hays County tax payer, I agree that Mr. Conley should own up to his high life spending and self importance on my dime, as should all the members of the county court.
O'Dell, I see, it is only Republicans and the evil developers that you think capable of fraud and waste. By the way, both Baker and Hollon were elected officials as Directors of the HTGCD. Baker was a director at the time the illegally voted in the last election and the many time he violated the rules and laws against conflicts of interest by voting on HTGCD hearings and issues regarding his employer ($65K) WVWA. You just don't even want to touch the Big Democrat Mr. Gorman that continues to break the State law prohibiting the pumping of groundwater into a creek he has dammed up. Jon Cobb says he has proof of the violation in then form of pictures and videos. Care to investigate that one, O'Dell?
Obviously, Conley is traveling at taxpayer expense to try to find more ways to get "park", "conservation", or other such slush monies over to his buddy David Baker at WVWA. The money will be touted as 'free' or a 'grant' - except that it isn't.
The money comes with lots of ties and any promise by the federal government will fall short. There is no reason to borrow money with the hopes of getting a grant that will cover less than 100% of the amount borrowed.
Although O'Dell claims that WVWA is not a governmental entity, WVWA's property was all paid for by Hays County Taxpayers - and yet continues to be titled to WVWA. Hays County is making significant "maintenance" fee payments to WVWA for various tasks - like taking care of county property. Maybe the county should review the books of WVWA to see where the money actually went.
Why don't we see what the next open parks and spaces "stakeholder" committee meeting at the WVWA HQ finds. No doubt the the pre-determined outcome will claim that the stakeholders support acquiring lots more open space to the detriment of taxpayers and giving away 100% of the development rights to specious third parties. Various "conservation groups" would then call the land home - just like WVWA gets to do.
Looking forward to voting for someone besides Conley in the forthcoming primaries.
Obviously, Conley is traveling at taxpayer expense to try to find more ways to get "park", "conservation", or other such slush monies over to his buddy David Baker at WVWA."
Quite the contrary.
The Hays County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan (RHCP) is all about feeding consultants---Austin law firm Smith/Robertson and Tom Loomis's engineering firm, Loomis Partners, and greasing the skids for developers---all contributors to Conley election campaign.
WVWA got Open Space and Parks bond monies---through back room deals conducted by Conley.
Pay closer attention and get your story straight.
“O'Dell, I see, it is only Republicans and the evil developers that you think capable of fraud and waste.”
We have reported on former county judge Jim Powers(R), former county commissioners Bill Burnett(R), Russ Molenaar(R), and Jeff Barton(D), current commissioners Will Conley(R) and Debbie Ingalsbe(D), and Hays County DA Sherri Tibbe(D), among others. Voters elect our officials. The record clearly shows that political party makes no difference to HaysCAN when it comes to reporting the behavior of elected officials.
“Jon Cobb says he has proof of the violation in the form of pictures and videos.”
File a complaint with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We did and also filed a freedom of information request to see what permits the Corps issued to Gorman. The Corps stonewalled us.
My article is simply about Conley violating open meetings and open records laws, Conley’s dominance of commissioners’ court and Conley’s extravagant sense of entitlement when it comes to spending public money.
Let’s stay on topic.
Aren't republicans always bragging about being conservative and accountable with the taxpayers money, wanting smaller more responsible government, living by bootstraps and the code of the west and all that crap. Well it looks to me like Conley is the poster child of everything NOT what republicans espouse. How can the party stand this guy??? He's a walking contradiction in terms. Forget him! and forget his hypocritical party and supporters!! I want my tax money back or I want a full trip report from this varmint on my desk in the morning.
Dr. Chuck:
Can you provide the curious minded a copy of your "complaint" filed with the Corps of Engineers? And why didn't you write that one up and embarrass your Democratic Party buddy like you do all of those Republican cronies?
Curious minds
Exactly what "good" does Mr. Conley think he is accomplishing for Hays County? His actions clearly favor a few who will profit from irresponsible development at the expense of existing residents who are rightfully concerned about the future of our natural resources.
The Roundup obviously can serve as a forum for the shadow spitter's angry speculation and wildly unsubstantiated rants.
See, to opine about David Baker being an "environmental hustler" as many of you imply, can have merit - depending on your bias and your viewpoint. Baker has made compensation from his position and as such is open to criticism.
But to attack Jack Hollon is pure nonsense. You can agree with him or not, but the comments about Hollon getting crony compensation is completely false if you look at the facts.
I know Jack Hollon, and boys, none of you come close to Jack Hollon's integrity or intelligence. He is liberal, yes, but not a crook or a lackey. He believes in what he does and he has the courage and self-confidence to publish his name in the Roundup.
If you are going to attack someone here in the Roundup, make sense when you do it. Otherwise, it makes Hays County look like second level cast of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
I will defend anyone - left or right - to say what they say it out of the Anonymous closet.
This applies to Roundup contributors Peter Stern, Charles O'Dell, Jon Thompson, Richard Sullivan, Dorothy Knight, Bob Ochoa, Barbara Hopson, et al.
Btw, gay men and women come out of the closet all the time, so you spite mongers can too. I bet your parents won't dis-own you if you do.
Who knows, if you actually used your name to share your opinions, you might find that you are smarter and a nicer person than you and others think you are.
Rocky Borschert said:
"Baker has made compensation from his position and as such is open to criticism."
How about jail time instead of just criticism, Rocky?
Baker voted as an HTGCD director on an issue that he claims his organization is particularly affected by. The conflict is evidenced by WVWA's claims that they have standing to demand a contested case hearing over the WSP permit. Baker gets more than 10% of his income from WVWA and therefore has a conflict under 172.004 of the Local Government Code.
Failure to file a disclosure affidavit with the HTGCD regarding a conflict is a class A misdemeanor. Failure to abstain from voting in such a case is a separate offense - another class A misdemeanor.
Can we count on the Hays County District Attorney's Office to investigate - or is the fact that the DA was complicit in the scandalous land deals ensure that attention will have to be directed from a higher authority?
WVWA's and CARD's and their advisors threats of suing the HTGCD have caused the district to set aside funds in anticipation of litigation. Once the criminal investigation starts, WVWA will no doubt withdraw its threats of suing the HTGCD and affirm that WVWA is not directly affected and has no standing - in an effort to save their hustler leader.
Heck maybe HTGCD should initiate a Declaratory Judgment action to affirm that WVWA has no standing. If HTGCD wins, WVWA loses and HTGCD will also get its attorney fees by statute. If HTGCD "loses", then Baker committed multiple criminal offenses and thus WVWA loses again.
Yup, a DJ action pre-emptive strike by the district would pretty much ensure that WVWA and its cult members will have to take their deflated ball and play elsewhere.
Way to go Will! O'Dell has made himself a laughing stock with this "story".
For purposes of conveying the facts in their entirety, I am responding to this obvious attempt to mislead the public. Commissioner Conley wrote a check that morning in court to cover his hotel expense and even paid for the second night of lodging when his meeting ran late, causing him to miss his flight back. He didn't turn in any food or other travel related expenses (that a trip of this nature would ordinarily entail.) All of these items were funded by Commissioner Conley personally, in spite of the fact that he was conducting official County business. Commissioner Conley made these personal contributions to the trip before this effort by Mr. Odell began, which I believe shows his conservative nature. Mr. Odell is entitled to formulate his own opinions; however, he cannot create his own facts. Finally, it was the vote of the Commissioners' Court to send Commissioner Conley as a representative to Hays County to work on important items dealing with transportation and environmental matters. If you are interested in learning the facts about this issue, then please come to the source to discuss your concerns. This blog is an obvious attempt to slant a justifiable mission.
My goodness, Charles O'Dell is angry and always has an axe to grind. His contributions to this blog are always full of vitriol and very long. He trusts no one-at least he is bi partisan in that regard. Because of his many wild accusations against various officials in the past, I tend to dismiss anything he writes as soon as I see his by line. Too bad this publication is so enamored of him.
Anonymous says:
"How about jail time instead of just criticism, Rocky?"
The rants about someone's unethical (or at least questionable) behavior - especially when public funds are involved - can be simple wild speculation or something deserving of more scrutiny and/or investigation.
Does Anonymous support jail time for the owner of Salt Lick for his "buying" of incorporation status - which is obvious for all to see. What about George W. Bush for war crimes due to his pro-torture rubber stamp re: Abu Graib and Guantanamo? And what about the Wall Street bankers, none of which have even been indicted for the havoc they have caused to our nation?
The facts indicate the political process is corrupt. Yet, you all keep voting for some fantasy candidate that is going to fix the rigged special interest voting sham.
Jason Isaac lied to us about his small government political values. Should he be prosecuted? No, I was stupid enough to believe him at his word. Shame on me.
If you get HBO with your TV service, I recommend you watch the show "Too Big to Fail." Great acting, and it makes the Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Lehman, Goldman Sachs, AIG fiascos more understandable. 1 1/2 hours long.
You get some insight, too, into how
Cabinet heads, Senators, Congressmen, CEOs jockey back and forth to get what they want.
Why does Commissioner Conley keep dodging and weaving---now hiding behind his assistant? Just give the public information it has a legal right to have.
The Jefferson Hotel reports that Mr. Conley only stayed there one night and paid through Expedia. Expedia was paid $2,186.85 through a county credit card. Perhaps Conley will tell us where he stayed the second night? Jennifer’s claim that Commissioner Conley wrote a personal check in court on April 12th to cover his hotel expense is being verified. We’re not sure how he would know the hotel amount since Expedia doesn’t break it out, or why Conley would personally pay for a legitimate business expense. Strange indeed if true.
The commissioners’ court vote to send Conley to Washington and to approve his $2,186.85 travel expense came eight days after Conley had already made flight and hotel reservations and a county PO issued. According to the law, public discussion, court authorization and approval to spend public funds should have come before Conley spent the public funds. I don’t make the law but Conley breaks the law when it suits him.
Did the Washington meeting really run late and cause Conley to miss his 5:13pm flight back to Austin? Perhaps our freedom of information request with the U.S. Department of Interior will verify when the meeting ended and give us the information Conley doesn’t want the public to know. Why doesn’t Conley just tell the public about his long meeting?
Jennifer also notes that anyone interested in learning the facts about this issue should come to the source to discuss their concerns. That’s what we’ve been doing from day one but Conley goes so far as to violate open records law to keep information from the public. What’s he hiding?
Quit dodging and weaving Commissioner Conley. Just give the public information it has a legal right to have and needs to function as a democracy.
Is Will sick? He has put on a ton of weight and doesn't look healthy at all.
Will Conley has shown a deep contempt for the people he purports to represent from the beginning of his term in office.
He has no use, and says so quite clearly, for citizen input or committees designed to help Commissioners make better decisions based on how the people feel about certain issues.
Conley is a monarchist, not a Republican, and he thinks himself better than the voters.
Wise up Wimberley and see this man for the con man he has become. You are being played for fools and he is laughing all the way to the bank.
Problem is, when he is finally ousted from office, he will have set himself with a cushy job either in public or private office and will continue to destroy our land, water and the rule of law.
charlie, charlie, charlie
barbara jordan would be so ashamed of you
Some of the small collection of looney liberals in Wimberley is obviously in a feeding frenzy created by the questionable O'Dell yellow journalism here. O'Dell has once again gone off half cocked blinded by his own warped agenda of character assignation of our elected officials. Chuck has never let facts get in the way of his quasi-reporting on his made-up accounts of things that never happened. Will Conley has been a great County Commissioner and good for the economy and environment of the local area and I will support him for re-election if he chooses to run again. I think "Jennifer" made O'Dell look like the fool he really is and now Chuckie is the one doing the "dodging and weaving".
Hey, Will, did you get your Momma to write that last posting?
Rocky said:
"The rants about someone's unethical (or at least questionable) behavior - especially when public funds are involved - can be simple wild speculation or something deserving of more scrutiny and/or investigation. "
Investigation would be good for starters, Rocky. All the other examples you gave are not crimes. However, a local government official that fails to abstain from voting on an issue that affects an entity that he gets more than 10% of his income from is a criminal offense as previously stated. That's the easy one to look into. The other examples you gave are just hyperbole or the "My Cousin Vinny" method of prosecution ... nothing but air.
Those "loony liberals" as one commenter calls them (although the water conservation and responsible development crowd in Wimberley is chock full of good Republicans) is what has kept Wimberley the charming oasis it is.
Dripping Springs is fast becoming little more than a tacky, cookie-cutter extension of South Austin, completely indistinguishable and characterized by unimaginative, urban-style development.
No one would come to Dripping Springs on purpose, it is simply a place to put Austin's overflow populations who don't want to pay as much money for a home as it costs in town.
The efforts of Wimberley and Woodcreek residents to retain a slower-paced lifestyle and fiercely protect the many watering holes along its creeks and riverfront is nothing to sneer at.
Wimberley continues to charm while Dripping Springs continues to bore people to death.
Does the whole world have to look like a strip center?
I like how O'Dell asks "Why would he pay with his own money to stay an extra night?" Um so he doesn't waste taxpayer dollars!!!
I was born and raised in Wimberley and fondly remember when there were very few looney liberals in this town. I miss those days.
If Baker and co. are to be investigated just follow the money and betcha it will lead straight to conley and the commissioners court apple cart he has so carefully arranged and now controls. Hell even the mighty anti-corruption campaigner bert cobb won't touch it. All birds of a feather. I think an impartial investigation would crack open a giant can of worms and that has some people shaking in their boots. I'll just bide my time and have faith that truth to power always wins in the end.
Water Hugger,
It is amazing how many "keep Wimberley Weirder" bumper stickers I see at the HEB in Dripping.
I like boring, I like sewers that work and roads that are paved.
If DS bores you so much please drive your VW bus to the Whole Foods in Austin and enjoy. Just go via San Marcos.
Water Hugger you are so funny, I see you shopping in Drippin' all the time. I guess boring works and loony does nothing but complain and wishes it had what boring has. Get the hint?
@ water hugger May 27, 2011 8:28 AM who said:
Those "loony liberals" as one commenter calls them (although the water conservation and responsible development crowd in Wimberley is chock full of good Republicans) is what has kept Wimberley the charming oasis it is.
"water conservation and responsible development" is too generous. You should say water hoggers and anti-development crowd. The "water conservation crowd" is only interested in imposing restrictions - on everyone else but themselves. The anti-development crowd thinks the door needs to be shut now that development has allowed them to live here.
Dripping Springs is fast becoming little more than a tacky, cookie-cutter extension of South Austin, completely indistinguishable and characterized by unimaginative, urban-style development.
If you are referring to the style of the homes, you can thank your local government for insisting upon "planned communities" which invariably require fairly cookie-cutter homes via restrictive covenants that homeowners do not want. You can also thank the HOA industry for threatening to fine and foreclose anyone that dares to vary in appearance. You can also thank your neighbors who believe that there should be control imposed on everyone else but themselves.
"No one would come to Dripping Springs on purpose, it is simply a place to put Austin's overflow populations who don't want to pay as much money for a home as it costs in town."
There are lots of folks that have absolutely no desire to live in Austin. Apparently some of them even live in Wimberley. Cypress Creek is rather pitiful compared to the Colorado River. As for traveling to Dripping Springs, Ranch Road 12, CR 170, and FM 150 show that there are actually quite a few folks from Wimberley that travel to Dripping Springs regularly.
"The efforts of Wimberley and Woodcreek residents to retain a slower-paced lifestyle and fiercely protect the many watering holes along its creeks and riverfront is nothing to sneer at."
Woodcreek is a planned community - you know, the very type you railed against above. Make up your mind. There is no river in Woodcreek and relatively few people live on creeks or riverfront. What you really mean is that there are a few people trying to impose a lifestyle of poor infrastructure, shoddy building, and generally an unsafe and unhealthy environment on everyone else. If you are so worried about "your" creeks, how about improving the sewage problem in the Woodcreek/Wimberley area? WSP is trying to do that but your falsely named "water conservation and responsible development" types oppose any progress there whatsoever.
"Wimberley continues to charm while Dripping Springs continues to bore people to death."
Charm - yeah right, like an infectious disease might be attractive to one who studies such things. Perhaps "charming" in the same sense that rats find rat poison attractive.
Does the whole world have to look like a strip center?
Interesting comment from the Wimberley types who seem to think that utopia is a residential development.
O'Dell said:
"As for Baker and Hollon---they aren't elected officials. Conley is. We are a government watchdog organization"
Well Charles, Baker was an elected official until about May 11, 2011. Hollon is a past elected official. Both are "public figures" because of their scandalous land deals and constant lobbying before the Commissioners Court or HTGCD. These activities are issues of public concern as well.
The statute of limitations is not measured by your term in office. What is HaysCAN other than a PAC if it turns its head as soon as a local official is out of office?
Bids for purchase of the 28 LCRA water and wastewater facilities were to have been turned in to LCRA by May 23. Has anyone read or heard what the Coalition bid, and for which properties? I read that Bastrop and Travis counties and some more water suppliers have joined the Coalition.
LCRA maintained that its preference was to sell all 28 facilities to one bidder. The cost of just the West Travis Regional facilities alone (Dripping Springs, Bee Cave, Lakeway, others) was over $140 million to LCRA, and LCRA says to sell below cost would be unfair to other customers in their territory, who would have to pick up the tab for the loss.
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